The popular food item known as a bagel originated in Poland and was introduced to the United States by Jewish immigrants in the late 19th century. However, not all bagels are created equal, and there are some significant distinctions between bagels made in New York and those made in Montreal.
Bagels made in the New York style are distinguished by their greater size, denser consistency, and slightly chewy nature. Before being baked, they are frequently boiled in water, giving them a distinctive glittering crust and a slightly sweet flavor. Additionally, a variety of toppings, including sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic, and onion, are frequently used on New York bagels. On the other hand, Montreal-style bagels are smaller, thinner, and slightly sweeter than their New York-style cousins. They are given a crispier texture and a little smokey flavor by being boiled in honey-sweetened water before being baked in a wood-fired oven. Sesame seeds or poppy seeds are often the only toppings on Montreal bagels.
So, bagels or donuts, which came first? Donuts are thought to have been influenced by Dutch olykoeks, which were essentially little, fried balls of dough, however their actual roots are unknown. The word “donut” first appeared in print in Washington Irving’s 1809 book “A History of New York,” when he discussed fried balls of sweetened dough known as “doughnuts.”
There are numerous origin stories for bagels, which have been around since at least the 17th century. One well-known myth holds that the first bagel was invented by a Jewish baker in Poland as an homage to King Jan III Sobieski, who had protected Vienna from a Turkish attack in 1683. The bagel was created when the baker formed the dough into a circular to imitate the king’s stirrup.
In conclusion, both New York-style and Montreal-style bagels are delectable in their own right, but they differ in a few key ways that make them unique. Whether you favor the thicker, smokier Montreal bagel or the larger, chewier New York bagel, bagels have cemented their place as a staple in both American and Canadian cuisine. Donuts are similarly adored and have gained their place in peoples’ hearts (and stomachs) all around the world, despite having a slightly different history than bagels.